KYKL shares thought on raising day-IV
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 27 2017:
Construction of identity yields many positive results in a society.
People who are least concerned with ethnic identity are generally self-centred, selfish and are devoid of community sense.
Whereas the life of a man who is least concerned with ethnic identity is limited to his or own welfare, those who have strong sense of ethnic identity cherish greater values of life, and there is greater people to people trust.
A society comprising of people who have strong sense of ethnic identity is more cohesive.
Because of the thread of unity which binds them, such a society is often stronger, and such community are more assertive about their rights, asserted the KYKL Chairman.
A community which has a strong sense of ethnic identity will never perish.
The Jew people who were scattered all over the world are still surviving and thriving in spite of the massive genocide.
They are still surviving because they have a strong sense of identity.
On the other hand, Meitei people disappeared in just 70/80 years when they were scattered.
When the Manipuri Mahasabha held its convention in 1930 under Hijam Irabot, there were around 30,000 Meiteis at Mandalay.
But today only around 2000 remain as Meiteis while the others have converted themselves into Burmese.
This can be attributed to the absence of a strong sense of ethnic identity among the Meiteis.
Protection of identity and culture does not mean one should not shy away from development.
On the contrary, no community would be able to protect their identity without some degree of development.
Yet, the form of development which does not accord due importance to protection of identity will not last long.
The fruits of development will evade a community if their identity is not protected in the process, Oken stated.
He further called upon all the people of the land to learn the adage 'first protection of identity, next development" .
"If we follow this adage with action, we will certainly survive and develop", concluded the KYKL Chairman.